KNBR Conversation: Randy Bennett

KNBR CONVERSATION With Randy Bennett

Updated 12:07 am, Sunday, March 17, 2013

Photo: David Becker, Getty Images

Image 1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 11: Head coach Randy Bennett (L) of the Saint Mary's Gaels watches the action during the championship game of the West Coast Conference Basketball tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena March 11, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gonzaga won 65-51. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 11: Head coach Randy Bennett (L) of the Saint Mary's Gaels watches the action during the championship game of the West Coast Conference Basketball tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs

Tolbert: I think you guys have built a resume that should get you into the NCAA Tournament, but I'm not sure the selection committee sees things as clearly as they should. You think you're in for sure?

Bennett: You never know for sure.

Tolbert: It's like boxing judges, I'm not sure these guys see things as clearly as they should ...

Bennett: I'm with you, it's my pet peeve. Just tell us the rules.

Tolbert: They don't want to tell you the rules, so they can keep changing them.

Bennett: Yup, yup. In boxing you have to knock them out to make sure. NCAA Tournament you got to make sure you win your conference tournament to make sure.

Tolbert: I feel like I would try to find a reason to include mid-majors who didn't win their conference tournament but had good seasons, like you guys, rather than try to find reasons to keep them out and put in bigger conference teams with worse records.

Bennett: I agree with that. I think you should reward teams that have had excellent seasons. We're obviously biased toward ourselves. I think it's really hard to do - there's an argument for the other way, but I think it's a lot easier to go 19-11, or whatever, in a BCS conference. I'm sure it depends on the conference, but there's just a lot more pressure in trying to roll out 25, 26, 27 wins. Middle Tennessee has had a heck of a year, it just seems like they should be in. It's the best position we've put ourselves in, I think, of any year we've had, as far as our numbers. I think last year we were in really good shape, but we only had six top-100 wins. These guys have done a great job, but like you said you don't know for sure until you're in.

Tolbert: Is there anything at all you can tell us about the sanctions that were handed down?

Bennett: Not really, yet. There will be a time when I can, but it's still too fresh. I don't want to take it out in public right now, but there will be a time when it comes out.

Tolbert: Is this the best Gonzaga team you've faced since you've been at St. Mary's?

Bennett: You know what, it is. I had to think about that for a while earlier in the year, but after seeing them three times ... They would have a good team without (Kelly) Olynyk, but he's the difference-maker. They can play through him, and he makes others better. He can get his 16 or 17, but it's the high-low pass, it's the read defensively, it's the blocked shot, it's the extra pass - he's got a good basketball IQ. He plays right - he's unselfish, and, like I said, he makes others better. He is the difference between what they were last year and what they are this year.

Tolbert: What was your reaction when (Brad) Waldow tried to pass you his tooth (March 9 in the WCC tourney)?

Bennett: (laughs) Well, had I known I would catch the abuse that I've caught, I probably would have handled the situation a little differently. I got to tell you, honestly I didn't know what he was doing. He came sprinting over to me, and as he gets closer I could see his mouth is bleeding and he's missing a tooth, and he throws me this thing that's white, and it's about the biggest tooth I've ever seen. I wasn't totally sure what was going on, but my reaction was just, "Whoa! Get that away from me!" (both laugh)

Tolbert: Well, bad news for you on two fronts - you didn't catch the tooth, and then the NCAA hit you with failure to promote an atmosphere of dental safety during the game, so you'll be hearing from them again unfortunately.